A no-fuss cream bronzer? Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer Review

Hi friends!

Ever since Milk Makeup launched I’ve basically wanted to try the whole line. From their easy, no-nonsense vibe to their sleek, minimal packaging to the muted, more natural colors they offer – every bit appeals to me! If you’re not familiar, most of their makeup and skincare is in creamy stick format; you know I’m obsessed with that! But for some reason I’ve just never bought much at all from them, with the exception of a mini highlighter that I ended up decluttering. I think it’s because overall I enjoy shopping more at Ulta rather than Sephora, which I believe is Milk’s exclusive retailer or main retailer.

ANYWAY, I did buy the cult favorite Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer in the shade Baked for my mom last year as she’s a bit of a bronzer devotee. She absolutely loved it so the more and more she kept talking it up to me, the more I wanted to try it of course! So this little baby is currently on loan from my beloved mom, who is very generous when it comes to sharing her makeup with me.

After a few weeks of testing, let’s get into the nitty-gritty now.

 

WHAT IS THE MILK MAKEUP MATTE BRONZER?

SUMMER IN A STICK.

VEGAN, CRUELTY-FREE, PARABEN-FREE, SILICONE-FREE, GLUTEN-FREE.

– Milk Makeup website

 

MY THOUGHTS ON PACKAGING

This is a bronzer stick with lightweight plastic packaging. The idea is pretty self-explanatory: you’re supposed to unscrew the clear plastic cap, twist up the product, and swipe the color onto your face. Even though I don’t use it in that way (more on that next), I do like the flexibility the stick format lends you as opposed to, say, a pot of cream bronzer would. In other words, you don’t have to use any tool if you don’t want to with this. If you’re on the go you can just quickly swipe it on.

Is this the most luxurious packaging? Definitely not. My mom’s stick has definitely gotten worn-looking over time, with chips on the lettering and smudges here and there. But it’s definitely still functional and not overly dirty or messy. While I do love expensive-feeling packaging, I’m much more concerned with the quality of the product inside anyway.

RATING: 4 / 5 ⭐️

 

MY THOUGHTS ON APPLICATION

So this is how I like to apply this bronzer stick. Personally I don’t like to swipe it across my cheeks directly from the stick, just in case it disturbs the makeup I have underneath. Instead I take my Lancôme Dual-End Foundation and Corrector Brush #26, swipe it back and forth across the stick to pick up product, and gently swirl and pat the cream product across my cheeks. (NOTE: I tend to wear bronzer much like how I wear blush – starting from the outer-apples of my cheeks, taking it up high on the cheekbones.)

The texture of the cream isn’t overly thick or thin; I’d say it’s somewhere in the middle. It blends out with a brush quite seamlessly with no harsh edges. If you prefer to use your fingers, you also shouldn’t have a problem with the blending. Once it’s on the skin, the cream feels very moisturizing. This is definitely for all those dry-skinned folks out there who love their cream bronzers!

RATING: 5 / 5 ⭐️

Read this: How I learned to use cream contour, feat. Clinique Chubby Contour Stick

MY THOUGHTS ON PIGMENTATION AND FINISH

The pigment here is very, very buildable which I love in a bronzer. And since it’s a cream, the finish is very natural. It actually gives a lovely subtle sheen to the skin. So even though “matte” is in the name, don’t be put off by that if you prefer more satin or dewy textures.

RATING: 5 / 5 ⭐️

MY THOUGHTS ON SHADE / TONE

Unfortunately Milk only stocks the Matte Bronzer in two shades: Baked (the lighter version I have), and Blaze (a deep bronze more suited to darker skin tones). I think this is kinda unfortunate because I would personally like to see more shades and undertones in this range. For example, I would say Baked is suitable for lighter skin tones but only if you have a warmer undertone. On my fair cool-toned skin, Baked pulls quite yellowy-orange so I have to be careful not to go too overboard for fear of looking oddly muddy. They should really take a page from the Fenty Sun Stalk’r Bronzer release.

RATING: 3 / 5 ⭐️

 

 

MY THOUGHTS ON WEAR

I wouldn’t say this is the most long-wearing cream product I’ve used, but it’s not horrible either. While there is some color and definition left on my cheeks after a full day’s wear (i.e. around 10-11 hours of wear), it’s definitely faded by that point. If you really want to ensure the wear of this product, I’d recommend setting it with a powder bronzer.

RATING: 4 / 5 ⭐️

Read this: Fenty Beauty vs. Physician’s Formula: Bronzer showdown

MY THOUGHTS ON PRICE

You pay $28.00 for 30 mL of product with the Matte Bronzer, which is squarely in what I call the “mid-market” range. For the price I wish the product lasted longer on the skin throughout the day, but honestly I don’t know of any lower-cost or drugstore alternatives to a cream product like this. (If anyone knows differently, please let me know in the comments!)

RATING: 4 / 5 ⭐️

 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall I do really enjoy using this product since I’m such a sucker for cream makeup products. The texture is really emollient, easy-to-apply, sheers out very well, and gives a beautifully natural finish to the skin. If you like products with creamy, buildable pigment and a light finish, I think you’d really go for this. I just wish they would expand their shade range.

 

Have you tried the Milk Makeup Matte Bronzer before? Do you prefer cream or powder bronzers? I’d love to know!

xo, Erica

 

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